MATTA Fair 2010 Review

This year alone, an estimated 900 booths are at Malaysia’s largest travel fair. After the tourism industry started recovering in 2009, the economy is back up, so one would expect excellent deals from the participating travel agencies there.

MATTA Fair 2010 Review

In this MATTA Fair 2010 review, I will share information as some new players in the industry, like Resorts World or Genting Group, will promote their Resorts World Sentosa Packages since the recent opening in February 2010 in Singapore.

The much-awaited Universal Studios Singapore by Resorts World Sentosa would be the main selling highlight for this fantastic place, opening on 8.28 AM March 18, 2010, so most Resort World Singapore Packages would be selling fast as it would be a win-win for both parents and children.

Another Singapore Holiday Package to look out for is the up-and-coming Marina Bay Sands Singapore, which will have the soft opening on April 2 2010, while the full launch will be later in the same year.

Holiday packages to Singapore would be exciting with the opening of these two mega resorts, Resorts World Singapore and Marina Sands Bay Singapore.

The trick is to visit only once, but you must visit the fair at least two days out of the three. The place is enormous, and by seeing it just once, you will be rushing yourself and may miss out on great deals.

I always go early and take my time to walk around and explore the holiday packages offered. Sometimes on the last day, some vendors will throw extra special deals with the vacation packages terming them ‘Last Day Sale’.

The crowd at the previous Matta Fair 2009.

Cheap Flight Tickets at MATTA Fair

Cheap Flight Tickets have always been a good seller at the fair; therefore, look out for AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines or MAS, FireFly, MasWings, Berjaya Air and other airlines competing with cheap airline tickets or even cheap packages inclusive of flights.

The biggest counters, usually Air Asia and Malaysian Airlines, typically dominate the competition there, so take your time and weigh all the pros and cons before booking that flight package.

One of the best deals for local and overseas packages is from FireFly so that booth should be one to check out during the travel fair.

A blog posting from FireFly states that they aim to hit RM1.5 Million (US$441k) in sales during the coming Matta Fair 2010. Check out some of their Koh Samui Packages offered as well.

Holiday Packages from MATTA Fair

Holiday Packages to many destinations are also really cheap when you buy them here, as most travel agencies or tour companies would be throwing crazy-priced packages that are unbelievably cheap.

Big names like Mayflower Travel and Tours, Reliance Travel, Apple Holidays, PYO Travel and other travel companies will also highlight their special tour packages, so compare them with the others.

A couple discussing their Hong Kong Disneyland Holiday Package.

Hong Kong Disneyland Holiday Packages were also popular sellers as even in the last fair in 2009, many tour companies were selling them, and many people bought the Hong Kong Disneyland Packages.

Some even offer the optional Macau Holiday Package with your Disneyland trip, so ask if you want to kill two birds with one stone.

Then again, those interested in the real Disneyland USA Travel Packages or Disney World Packages would also be pleased to know they cater to these fun packages.

Tourism Taiwan, with multiple Taiwan Travel Packages, and Mexico Tourism are also aggressively promoting their destination as affordable packages.

Looks like the Taiwan Holiday Packages will be a winner with the locals as it is relatively cheap with AirAsia flying there; where else Mexico Holiday Packages would be the dream destination holiday for some who can afford this.

Australia has also been working non-stop with Tourism Australia to promote its Australia Travel Packages. AirAsia also flies to Australia with AirAsiaX, so packages can be cheaper than before.

But the local Malaysia Holiday Packages would be the big sellers as most of these packages are more than affordable however, note that the cheap holiday packages are usually 3D/2N packages which work very well on weekends.

Those of you seeking this kind of quick holiday would be pleased to know that you can get all types of packages at the Matta Fair. Keep an eye out for the ‘Travel Now Pay Later‘ Holiday Packages available too.

Muslim Tour Packages are also a big hit at the travel fair. Check out some of the big-named companies that promote these Muslim Holidays to Korea, China, Egypt, Europe, Indonesia, Australia, etc.


Reliance Holidays and Apple Holidays are some of the popular booths to visit for Muslim Travel Packages.

Cruise Packages are also popular, where you will be spoiled with choices from Asian Cruise Packages, Europe Cruise Packages, and American or Caribbean Cruise Packages. Star Cruises are also offering some great Cruise Ship Packages.

Kids Stay Free Promotions.

Travelling with Family and Children

These days, holiday packages, including children, are also a big hit. From the last Matta Fair 2009, I noticed that several tour companies offer Kids Travel Free with custom-made Family Holiday Packages packages.

To my surprise, the response was excellent. Family holiday packages usually include free stays for the kids, so check with the relevant tour companies on what is available.

Matta Fair patrons booking holidays.

Beach Holiday Packages were also prominent at Matta Fair last year, and Club Med was offering a super deal on a Holiday Package to the Maldives, where the price was almost half the average rate.

It was so good that I was tempted to get that Maldives Package from Club Med. If I recall, Sea Villas at 5D/4N for around RM1,640 (US$482) per person.

Update: Club Med Mauritius has a promotion called ‘Buy One Get One Free’ at RM2,552 for 5D/4N. This means you pay only RM1,276 per person!

But the most popular holiday packages would be China Tours and Packages. With AirAsia flying to over 8 destinations around China and 140 weekly flights there, prices have dropped, and China Packages have been even more affordable.

Technically with AirAsia flying all over the region, travelling has always been affordable for most people.

Last year, the Indonesia booth by Tourism Indonesia was pretty big in promoting the country. Bandung, Jogjakarta, Medan, and, of course, Bali were popular sellers. Note that Bandung Factory Outlet Shopping Packages are pretty popular too.

Sabah Tourism attended the last Matta Fair with an extra large group of vendors who were heavily promoting The Land Below The Wind, Sabah.

From seeing Mount Kinabalu Packages to White Water Rafting Packages and Snorkeling Packages to Nature and Wildlife Tours, they were pretty impressive to check out.

Sabah Packages will be focused mainly on the East Coast Sabah, where promotions on Sandakan and Tawau are highlighted. Lots of Nature Packages, Eco-Tourism Packages and Diving Packages are offered here.

Local travel companies offer various nature packages.

Ground Packages at MATTA Fair

Cheap ground packages are also a big hit, with airlines offering rock-bottom flight prices. If you browse around the travel booths at the Matta Fair, you will notice that some holiday packages are unbelievably cheap.

But look carefully as most of these packages are ‘Ground Only Arrangements’. That means you book your own flight tickets and use their accommodation package.

These ground-only packages are great if you travel on a budget and don’t mind staying at lower-rate hotels or guesthouses.

A man looks at the various travel packages offered.

Cheap Airline Tickets at MATTA Fair

One of the tricks that would work is this – Buy your budget airline ticket way in advance from AirAsia or any other budget airline, then check out cheap hotel rooms from various websites like Agoda.Com, Booking.com, Hostelworld.com, and others.

This way, you can have a more extended holiday and spend less on airfares and hotels. Then again, you can always book via AirAsia, GoHolidays or AirAsiaGo for the complete packages (ticket and room). Still, one must wait for them to announce the sales and promotions for these cheap tickets and packages.

Here’s another tip for getting first-hand knowledge of Cheap Airfares or Cheap Airline Tickets from some leading airline companies.

Sign up on their Facebook Page and get first-hand information on when promotions and sales are announced.

For the speciality groups like Divers, multiple Dive Packages throughout Southeast Asia are available here.

The Sipadan Diving Package is the most popular, followed by Pulau Redang Dive Packages, Pulau Perhentian Dive Packages, Pulau Lang Tengah Dive Packages, and so on. For divers, the Matta Fair provides some really great deals here.

Then there are places like Manado, Thailand, Sabah and Bali, which also offer divers an excellent deal, so do check out some of the packages for diving while here.

Beach/Island Holiday Packages

Beach and Island Holiday Packages are also popular, and many local travel companies offer fantastic deals on 3D/2N Island Packages.

Another well-known place many people check out is the Pulau Manukan Packages in Sabah and various Langkawi holiday packages.

If you like the East Coast islands of Malaysia, one of the companies to look out for is Ping Anchorage Travel and Tours.

They are the most aggressive in promoting Island Holiday Packages, namely Redang Island Packages, Perhentian Island Packages and Island Discovery Packages throughout Malaysia.

They are very involved in Eco-Tourism Travel for Malaysia with additional Sabah and Sarawak Travel Packages, Kenyir Lake Packages, and Taman Negara Packages.

If you like nature, islands, beaches, and the rainforest, visit Ping Anchorage and compare the prices.

All sorts of promotions from various travel companies.

Below is a current advertisement from one of the local tour agents, SA Tours, who offers cheap travel packages for the MATTA Fair 2010.

You will see a lot of holiday packages from various companies, so choose carefully and wisely.

Seri Pacific Hotel entrance at PWTC.

Getting to Matta Fair 2010 PWTC

• Most locals would self-drive there and park around the PWTC area.
• Here’s a tip if you want to avoid looking for parking – Drive up to the Seri Pacific Hotel (old Pan Pacific Hotel) entrance and give your car to the valet parking, which costs about RM15 (US$4.40) the entire day. No hassles as you simply walk straight into the Matta Fair from the hotel entrance.
• Another option would be to come early and park in the PWTC
• Another place would be to park across from The Mall Shopping Center and walk over.
• Avoid parking along the road illegally, as you are bound to get summoned by the police.
• Again I stress that to avoid the traffic jam, you must head there early, before 11am.

By Bus:

• An Intrakota Bus stops just outside the Jukebox Shoe Shop opposite the Puduraya Bus Station, and this bus goes to Hentian Putra, opposite PWTC. It will cost approximately RM1.20 (US$0.35) one way.

By Train:

• Visitors who travel to the Matta Fair 2010 from March 12 to 14 at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) on Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) trains will receive a 25% discount on their ticket fare.
• They should inform the officers at the ticketing counter at the train station that theMarch 12ing to KL Sentral for the Matta Fair before buying their tickets. 
• Those who buy tickets at the KTMB booth for travel to any part of the country or Singapore would get a 25% discount regardless of the number of people travelling. The values are available from March 11 to 15th, 2010.
• STAR LRT stops at the PWTC Station and is a short walk to the Matta Fair.
• PUTRA LINE LRT stops at Masjid Jamek Station, and you change with STAR LRT.

• Dates: 12-14th March 2010
• Opening Hours: 10am to 9pm
• Location: Putra World Trade Center (PWTC) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  Hall 1, 2, 3 and Pelantaran Putra at the PWTC
• Entry Fee: RM3.00 per person/day – You are given a wristband.

Conclusion on Matta Fair Review

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